Daniel Lavery, author of "Women's Hotel" and former Slate columnist, joins to discuss his richly woven narrative about the lives of women in midcentury New York. He shares insights on character development and the complexities of good intentions versus cruelty. The conversation touches on nostalgia, the significance of food memories, and the longing for community amid urban displacement. Lavery explores identity and emotional landscapes, highlighting how literature can profoundly connect and resonate with us.